Celebrate Oakland Restaurant Week’s fourth year

Now in its fourth year, Oakland Restaurant Week is a 10-day celebration of Oakland’s booming food scene that runs from January 17th to the 26th. Participating restaurants (and there are many) offer tantalizing prix fixe menus at $20, $30 or $40.

If you’re itching to acquaint yourself with the local food scene, your excuse is right here.

For vegetarians, Encuentro is a must. This Jack London Square cafe/wine bar is the brainchild of Eric Tucker, Executive Chef of San Francisco’s acclaimed vegan restaurant Millennium. Lovingly prepared from top-notch organic/local ingredients, Encuentro’s food captivates vegetarians and omnivores alike. Dinner is $30 and includes a glass of wine. The menu changes daily.

Temescal’s Juhu Beach Club is your destination for Indian street food with a spunky California twist. Opened by Preeti Mistry, a former Executive Chef at Google, this eatery is quirky, fun, and hella pink — perfect for kids or a night out with friends. For Oakland Restaurant Week, $30 gets you an appetizer, three courses, and a dessert.

For a meal paired with fine art, check out the $20 prix fixe lunch menu at Blue Oak, the Oakland Museum of California’s cafe. The OMCA’s Bridging the Bay exhibit ends January 26th — the same day that Oakland Restaurant Week comes to a close. It must be a sign.

To take part in the Oakland Restaurant Week revelries, you can stop by your restaurant of choice during normal business hours, or take the cautious route and book your reservation in advance by calling or booking online.